THE American players enjoyed a fine second day at the Scottish Open to inspire a generation of young golfers.

He has been shark-diving in South Africa, trekking in India, Kenya and Kazakhstan and admired the sights on trips to Scandinavia and southern Europe.

This American kid has not just branched out in golf.

He has spent the past few months expanding his life.

When your dad Wally is the chief executive of the company which runs the game’s iconic ball and shoe makers Titleist and Footjoy, the privileges on offer might lessen your drive.

But this 23-year-old graduate of Oklahoma State University didn’t want an easy life. He didn’t want to be known as a lazy, rich kid, stuck in the comfort zone.

So, along with compatriot Brooks Koepka, the young pair set out last year on a journey to the European Challenge Tour.

It changed their lives and brought the recognition their talents deserve.

While Koepka has won a stunning four events in the past 10 months since changing continent, Uihlein hasn’t been fairing too badly either with a success in the Madeira Island Open.

And yesterday at Castle Stuart, he made another huge statement, following an opening 67 with a 66 to blitz his way up the Scottish Open leaderboard.

It’s not quite Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, more a story of determination and drive.

But the pair are on a trailblazing road trip to inspire a generation of players across the Atlantic, proving you can leave the confines of the States to find fame and fortune.

While Koepka is six under for the championship in the Highlands, Uihlein has shot five less to bury himself among the pack of leaders.

He said: “Brooks is a great player and he’s been playing great so yes, it’s good that we can play off each other.

“You see a lot of hotel rooms, you travel a bit more, different currency each week, different timezones when you speak to your friends, but it’s been a blast.

“Myself and Brooks have rented some jet skis and we’ve been out on them. Maybe we’ll buy our own in the winter and race.

“I’ve been to India and I never thought I’d go there. I went cage diving in South Africa with Great Whites and that was fun. Sweden was cool.

“I try to go out, check out the town and have a good time. It’s a life experience, not everyone gets the chance to see the world and play golf, do the thing you love while travelling.

“I don’t know if we are being noticed much back home because I’m never there. I’d like to think so, but you never know.

“As long as you can find a place to develop as an all-round player, then you’re doing great.

“It’s great to have Brooks around and my mum’s out this week which is nice. I’ve made a lot of friends out here which is great.

“Are we trailblazers? We’d like to think so. We came over here to get some experience and develop our game, play in different conditions.

“We’re off to a nice start and hope we can keep going, but we’ve shown people you don’t necessarily have to stay in the States.

“You can play here, you can play in Asia, you can play anywhere and improve wherever you are.”

Masters champion, Adam Scott took a similar route away from Australia to begin his career and Uihlein has taken advice from some of those who guided the Aussie.

Butch Harmon, who has been coaching Uihlein, is responsible for the breathtaking technique of Scott. The American kid added: “Ultimately I’d like to have dual membership, that’s the aim to play both tours, go back and forth.

“There are so many great events here that you don’t want to miss them, you think France, that was just wonderful, and others.

“The decision to come to Europe was mostly down to my Dad.

“Chubby Chandler and Butch all mentioned it to me and it made sense. You look at the guys who start their careers over here like Rory McIlroy and Louis Oosthuizen before coming to the States.

“I don’t see why being an American makes it different.”

Uihlein certainly slotted right in with the best here and there is every chance that he’ll be doing the same in just 12 months from now.

The European Tour and sponsors Aberdeen Asset Management’s decision to move the event from Inverness to Royal Aberdeen for 2014 will bring a fresh set of challenges for the majority of the competitors, who will not have played competitive golf at the Granite City venue.

Uihlein played at Royal Aberdeen last year for the United States side in the Walker Cup, when his team lost to Great Britain and Ireland.

It whetted his appetite and he said: “A great course we played there, it was blowing just so much. The first nine holes was straight downwind and then we flipped it back into the wind, it was brutal.

“But it’s a great track, much different than this and it should be good next year.”

For the weekend, though, Uihlein will have his mind fixed firmly on Castle Stuart before another year of journeys and adventures lead him into the Granite City.